Allen and Heath ZED-12FX 12-Channel Mixer with USB Interface

Mix it up with 16 unique digital effects on this USB-equipped mixer. The ZED-12FX boasts 6 DuoPre mic preamps with 3-band mid-sweep EQ, plus 3 stereo inputs.

With the Allen & Heath ZED-12FX at your side, there's no need to lug around a rack of external effects. This 12-channel mixer comes packed with 16 awesomely useful digital effects built right in. And that's not all -- the ZED-12FX sports everything else you need for managing and recording a live show: 6 DuoPre mic preamps with phantom power, 100 mm faders, A&H's renowned MusiQ EQ section, an onboard USB audio interface, and more.

Watch Hart Sawyer recording vocals, keyboard, acoustic and electric guitars directly into her A&H ZED series mixer:


6 Mic Preamps + 3 Stereo Channels

Six mic/line inputs with DuoPre mic preamps (with 69 dB gain) handle your microphones and DI boxes. Three dual-stereo channels, each with gain control and 2-band EQ, have your back for line-level stereo sources like keyboards or audio players. Each stereo channel offers a main stereo input on jack sockets with additional inputs from phono sockets or from the USB audio input. You can select the USB return to one of the extra inputs so that it feeds either the main LR bus or the stereo channel.

Internal FX to Sweeten Your Sound

What sets the ZED-12FX apart from other mixers in its class is its impressive FX section. The mixer sports 16 digital effects ranging from delays and reverbs to flanger and chorus. On each effect, there's a tweakable parameter for dialing in your sound. Five of the effects even support tap tempo. These ZED FX are controlled using three buttons and nine LEDs, which are easy read more to view in the darkest of rooms. Sweeten your sound even more with the ZED-12FX's musical 3-band EQ with MusiQ.

USB Interface Lets You Mix, Record, and Play Back Music

Connect the mixer to a PC or Mac via USB and you have a simple way to get audio to and from your computer for recording, playback, and mixing with external FX. No worries if you don't have DAW software on your computer -- the ZED-12FX comes bundled with Cakewalk Sonar LE music-production software.

Features:

- 12-channel mixer with USB interface
- Insert points
- High-pass filter
- Stereo imaging control on every channel
- 3-band EQ with swept mid
- 4 auxiliary sends (2 pre, 2 post)
- Global 48V phantom power
- 3 dual stereo inputs with 2-band EQ
- Peak and signal indication on every channel
- Configurable USB stereo audio in/out
- Master level controls on all outputs
- Easy to use layout - all connections and controls on top surface
- Channel mute switches
- Stereo return
- 2-track return
- Advanced monitoring facilities
- Includes Cakewalk Sonar LE music-production software

Ideal for gigging musicians and bands on the rise, the 12-channel ZED-12FX mixer provides loads of mixing, monitoring, and recording features in a portable unit that integrates seamlessly with stage and studio gear.
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.
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Dimensions: 15.2" x 18.3" x 3.9"
Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item
Shipping Weight: 22 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 27 x 21 x 10 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): AH-ZED-12FX

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-431-2609
Web: https://www.allen-heath.com/support/

Allen and Heath ZED-12FX Mixer

Complementing the existing ZED series, the ZED FX has been developed around an FX chipset purely for this model. Allen and Heath's DSP engineers have been working hard, crafting and refining beautiful reverb algorithms. The effects are available nowhere else -- this quality and integration is only available from the ZED FX.

16 essential time-delay effects add to the already bulging feature set. The mixer is ideal for small groups who don't want to carry around an effects unit with their gear but who still want great quality FX at their gigs and on their recordings.

In addition to the DuoPreTM mic pre-amps, 100mm faders and MusiQ EQ section which are shared with the whole ZED range, the ZED FX has 16 unique effects, designed by Allen and Heath's DSP team, in Cornwall.

ZED FX

ZED FX are easily controlled using 3 buttons and 9 LEDs. Quickly tap the ideal delay time or 'dial-in' the perfect amount of reverb on the lead vocal. One-stop navigation and editing. In fact, just as easy as your effects pedals. Hold down the TAP button and press the up or down button to alter the effects parameter, for example on patch (9) Plate, this would adjust the decay length. The ZED FX is designed to fulfill all the functions a small band would need without their own sound engineer. The layout and features have been arranged to be logical and instantly recognizable at a dark gig -- a mixer you can trust to perform.

The USB audio interface, with its uniquely flexible capability, allows different signals to be sent to USB, from LR or from selected aux buses. The USB return signal can be routed straight to the LR mix or to a stereo channel. The connectors are placed on the top surface for easy plugging & patching, and the construction, with individual circuit boards firmly nutted to the top panel, is as rock solid as Allen & Heath's top of the range ML Series mixers.

The ZED FX range currently comprises of the ZED12FX and the 22FX. Between them they offer a solution for any small group or singer songwriter needing up to 16 mono inputs and 3 stereo inputs. Keyboards, microphones, samplers, the sky is the limit. Each mono channel has an insert point, allowing in-line effects such as compressors to be added to the signal chain, just like A&H's large-format mixers.

Internal FX

16 separate effects have been crafted into the ZED-FX range. These include Delay and Reverb, Ping-Pong delay, a selection of reverbs with different room/hall/arena properties, a flanger and a chorus. All have been designed to complement the material the engineer is working with. Each of the effects has a parameter which can be altered: pre-delay can be adjusted, room sizes tweaked, and flanger speed dialled-in. Five of the effects can have their tempo tapped in, and the output auditioned by the FX PFL.

Inputs

One of the great things about the ZED series is the number and variety of things you can plug in. In addition to the six mono channels there are three dual stereo channels, each with a main stereo input on jack sockets, and with the ability to take additional stereo inputs from phono sockets or from the USB audio input, flexibility gives you control. 6 mic/line channels are provided on ZED12FX -- plenty for mics or DI boxes for a small band, duo or solo performer 4 stereo line inputs -- dual inputs, both with gain and 2-band EQ

DuoPre

Based on the proven pre-amps from the hugely successful PA series, the ZED series has DuoPreTM pre-amps, which use a two stage design, with carefully controlled amounts of gain in each stage. When amplifying the signal from the XLR input, the gain range is huge -- 69dB of range to be exact - and is very evenly distributed around the gain control, meaning better control of signal level. Most of the gain comes from the first stage, so unwanted noise is kept to a minimum. Line level signals are simply plugged into the second stage of the pre-amp by using the line input jack socket, which has the great advantage of less noise when using the line input.

EQ section

ZED-FX features a musical 3-band EQ derived from the acclaimed GL2400 mixer.
The design utilises MusiQ -- optimised slope (or Q factor) for equalising individual instruments.

Auxiliary sends

4 aux sends are provided, of which 1&2 are prefade for foldback monitoring, and 3 & 4 post-fade for effects sends. A stereo signal can be sent from auxes via USB to computer to create 2 separate record feeds independent of the main LR mix (1&2) and or used as FX sends (3&4).

USB audio flexibility

Getting audio to and from a computer easily is now a common requirement for live sound and music production. The way A&H have implemented this on ZED is super-flexible and super-easy! No longer do you need to fiddle around the back of your PC to get to the soundcard inputs, only to find that the levels are all wrong and noisy. Just plug in a USB lead to your ZED, select the USB routing on the mixer and the device on your computer and that's it! Quality audio to and from your PC or Mac. Three switches provide different send/return configurations for recording, playback and utilizing external FX.

Build

The ZED12FX has been designed using individual vertically mounted circuit boards with each rotary control fixed with a metal nut to the front panel -- making a much more robust product that will resist damage and give years of reliable use. ZED also has professional 100mm faders for ultimate control over your levels.

Sonar LE

Allen and Heath have teamed up with Cakewalk to bundle Sonar LE with this ZED mixer. The two team up together in many ways -- for example straightforward recording of a stereo mix, recording tracks individually to build up a song, or for inserting a Sonar LE effects plug-in.

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (14 ratings)
Submitted December 2, 2012 by Larry Russell in Pittsboro, NC

"Wish I would have bought an Allen & Heath long ago"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
After many years of trying to cut corners by purchasing inexpensive mixers, I finally decided enough was enough of my constant trips to my favorite electronics repair business. I was tired of losing sleep on nights before a gig-hoping and praying that my mixer would not die again in the middle of a performance. I have always adopted the belief that you must have a backup plan to your backup plan. I still run a rack system and any element (EQ,Compressor, etc.) other than the mixer can just be immediately bypassed-but not the mixer. Mixer dies and there is no sound-period! I currently own 3 identical Behringer Xenyx 2442FX mixers, and although they sound fine and are full of features when working, at least one of them is in the repair shop constantly. I always used one and had a backup close at hand. I finally decided to remedy this problem once and for all and I began researching what would be the absolute best fit mixer for my needs (DJ oldies/beach/motown/top 40/R & B plus live praise band) . After an exhaustive search and review during which I chose to not be concerned about initial cost outlay, the overall choice was an Allen & Heath ZED12FX. I did cost comparisons and found my best deal (by buying a blemished unit on which I have yet to find a blemish) was at zZSounds. I even called their toll free number and spoke with one of their reps who was extremely honest and helpful. Ordered on Sunday and arrived at my home in NC on Wednesday, I was immediately impressed with the read more quality build of this unit. Upon hooking it up, the sound is incredible, the reverbs are perfect, very easy to route, had the multiple stereo channels I must have, main insert points that I prefer, love the 100mm sliders, and easy to get to everything. My only regret is that there is no gooseneck light socket. Other than that, this mixer has far exceeded my hopes and expectations.The sad part is this: I bought 3 Behringer Xenyx mixers at different times over the years and had terrible reliability. For less than $200 more than any single one of these Behringers, I bought the A&H ZED12FX and probably have the last mixer I will ever have to buy and fully expect it to be worry free, as it has been for the short time I've owned it. I would have saved myself a lot of stress and cash had I bought an Allen & Heath years ago. Understand I am not a Behringer basher. I still have 2 of their Europower amps (2500 & 4000) and absolutely love them. I have other Behringer stuff in my rack and am pleased with those also. I just will never buy another Behringer mixer. I'm sticking with Allen & Heath after experiencing the incredible quality of my new worry free mixer. I have no complaints whatsoever about the sound, performance or look of this mixer. As stated earlier, my only regret is I just wish A & H would install a light socket jack for my gooseneck light. I have had no need for Manufacturer Support because I have had no problems with this mixer and really do not expect that I ever will, based on how solid and well built it seems to be. Part of my decision making process to choose this mixer, however, was the reviews I read by owners of A & H equipment who praised the support on the rare occasion it was needed.

Musical Background:
Guitar, Bass, (both acoustic and electric) Electronic Drums

Musical Style:
DJ all types of music, Live play Contemporary Christian in a Praise Band
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